Losing Streak Persists for Dodgers: Now at Five Matches in a Row
In a closely contested matchup on July 9, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Milwaukee Brewers and their rookie pitcher, Jacob Misiorowski. The Dodgers, aiming to jump on Misiorowski early, got off to a promising start with Shohei Ohtani hitting a leadoff home run. However, the game took a turn as Misiorowski showcased his dominance, resulting in a 3-1 loss for the Dodgers, marking their fifth consecutive defeat.
Misiorowski's strategy was to overpower the Dodgers with a heavy strikeout approach. His fastball, reaching speeds up to 101.6 mph, was explosive, but it was his secondary pitches – curveballs, sliders, changeups – that proved most effective in neutralising the Dodgers' hitters. Of the 12 strikeouts he recorded, only three came from fastballs, while seven came via curveballs, one with a slider, and one on a changeup. This diverse mix generated 21 swings and misses, keeping the Dodgers' hitters off-balance throughout the six innings he pitched.
The Dodgers' efforts to mount a comeback were thwarted by key defensive plays, notably a clutch play by Andruw Monasterio, who threw out a would-be tying run at home plate, preserving the lead for the Brewers.
Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, had planned to stress Misiorowski as much as possible, work long at-bats, drive up his pitch count, and be mindful of quick outs. Despite these strategies, Misiorowski's performance was described by Clayton Kershaw, a Dodgers left-hander and future Hall of Famer, as "impressive" and "unbelievable."
Meanwhile, in the world of tennis, Taylor Fritz secured a victory at Wimbledon against Karen Khachanov, setting up a semifinal meeting with Carlos Alcaraz. Fritz, currently ranked No. 5 in the world, credits his coach, Morgan Riddle, for having a significant impact on his rise and for pushing him to be better and healthier. A motivational note Fritz wrote to himself after losing at Wimbledon four years ago was recently shared on social media by his girlfriend, Morgan Riddle.
In other sports news, the Associated Press provided a list of notable events in sports history. These include Johnny Weissmuller breaking Duke Kahanamoku's world record for the 100-meter freestyle in 1922, the NFL awarding a franchise to Boston in 1932, and Serena Williams winning her record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2016.
In a surprising development, the City Section perpetual football trophy, which went missing after Narbonne won it in 2018, was found in a dumpster in Torrance. The trophy's whereabouts have been a mystery since its disappearance, and its recovery has brought a sense of relief to the football community.
In baseball, Nathan Eovaldi gave up one unearned run in six innings, Jake Burger and Wyatt Langford each homered and drove in four runs, and the Texas Rangers beat the Angels 13-1. Corey Seager hit his 13th homer in the game, and Evan Carter drove in three runs for the Rangers.
Lastly, British road cyclist Mark Cavendish won the 13th stage of the Tour de France, tying Eddy Merckx for the most career stage wins in the history of the race. Trinity Rodman, a professional basketball player, has expressed a desire for Wimbledon announcers to stop discussing her father and focus on her performance on the court.
- Despite Misiorowski's dominance, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who hail from California, continued to struggle in sports, suffering their fifth consecutive loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball match on July 9, 2025.
- Meanwhile, in a different sporting event, Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers made history by hitting a leadoff home run in the same game.
- The Los Angeles Lakers, another renowned sports team from Los Angeles, might have taken inspiration from the Dodgers' resilience, as they gear up for their next encounter, aiming to bounce back from their own setbacks.
- In a surprising turn of events, USC, a distinguished institution located in California, has announced plans to establish a sports medicine program to help athletes maintain their health and performance, hoping to prevent similar consecutive losses in the future.
- Amidst all this, Major League Baseball (MLB) continues to thrive, with the Texas Rangers beating the Angels 13-1 in a game featuring home runs from Jake Burger and Wyatt Langford. Nathan Eovaldi pitched for Texas in the game, while Corey Seager, a Dodgers' alumnus now playing for the Rangers, also contributed in their victory.
